No matter which way you approach the Costa Blanca, you will have a good time. Come from the south, and you will first encounter the beautiful towns of Pilar de la Horadada or Torrevieja. These towns are the southernmost ones of the Alicante Province, which straddles the Mediterranean Coast of Spain. They, in turn, are a part of the Community of Valencia. If you have brushed up on your Spanish, you will recognize that Costa Blanca means “White Coast”, and nothing could be more true. This section of the Spanish Mediterranean is awash in white: white sugar sand beaches, buildings that look like they were washed to pure white, and of course, the white sun, bathing all of it. Villas such as Guardamar, Javea, Altea, Benidorm, Torrevieja, Moraira and Alicante are the white jewels that surround the Mediterranean Sea like a pearly necklace.
One of the best ways to approach the Costa Blanca is via Alicante since it has a very large, international airport, Altet. If you fly into Alicante, you can take a public bus, a small rented bus or a taxi to your hotel in Alicante. You will enjoy the setting of Alicante, which is at the foot of an ancient hill, and a castle called Santa Barbara still stands there. The town was built in 300 B.C. by the Carthaginians and has survived almost intact, despite the many wars it has endured. The castle today is home to a wonderful restaurant.
This area is surrounded by long beaches and an ancient promenade which is beautifully tiled. The promenade is covered with flowers and native palms, and these form a barrier between the busy city and the quiet harbor. There are always crafts to be viewed or purchased along this walkway, and in the summer, you can be sure to find at least one band playing music that seems composed solely to accompany the soft evening breezes.
If you want to learn more about the town and the region, visit a book shop and pick up a guidebook. You will learn about the many local festivals. A wonderful example is the Saint John Bonfires, in which local and international figures are depicted in cardboard or wooden facades and actually burnt down to nothing. This replicates the pagan tradition of eliminating bad spirits.
Another wonderful city in the region to visit is Benidorm, and it is also very convenient to the Alicante airport. Picture a vacation day where you have the choice of just stretching out on a sunny beach or visiting a wonderful theme park with the children. You can go to Terra Mitica, a theme park in the city that replicates the attractions of Egypt and Rome, with rides and attractions in that theme, or visit Aqualandia, a fabulous water park practically in the middle of the city, where everyone, old and young, can enjoy the water sports. If you are interested in nature, how about Terra Natura, where you and your children can visit with all sorts of wild animals? This incredible park also has water rides, and even offers underwater diving adventures, or nature walks or hiking.
We’re not leaving out the nightlife. Of course, there are clubs, and there is a great selection of restaurants, fast food or gourmet, to suit whatever your taste or your budget.
Johnathan Bakers is writing mostly for http://www.alicante-spain.com , a website on the topic of Costablanca . His articles on Costa Blanca are published on his website .
